Soccer Positions and Their Abbreviations: What Each One Means

If you’ve ever watched a soccer match or played a game of FIFA, chances are you’ve stumbled across a handful of confusing abbreviations and acronyms like CAM, CDM, or LWB.

To a newcomer, it may look like someone is trying to invent a new language. But for soccer enthusiasts, these abbreviations represent the building blocks of tactical brilliance on the pitch.

This post is your guide to every position abbreviation used in soccer.

Be it you’re a coach, player, fan, or just curious, you’ll find every shorthand term clearly explained, positionally placed, and deeply understood.

Understanding the Field: A Positional Diagram

To grasp these roles, visualize the soccer field like a chessboard. Each piece has its place, and though modern tactics are fluid, positions still matter. Here’s a quick breakdown by zones:

• Goalkeeper Zone: GK

• Defensive Line: LB, CB, CB, RB (or LCB/RCB and WB/LWB/RWB)

• Midfield Line: LM, CM, RM (or CDM, CAM, etc.)

• Attack Line: LW, ST, RW (or LF, RF, SS, CF)

AM – Attacking Midfielder

Positioned behind the forwards, the Attacking Midfielder (AM) is the creative engine of the team. They link midfield to attack, orchestrate plays, and often contribute with goals and assists.

AMC – Attacking Midfielder Center

AMC is a more specific term for a central attacking midfielder. Think of a classic “Number 10” role—pulling strings, unlocking defenses, and floating between midfield and striker zones.

AMF – Attacking Midfielder

Used primarily in older video games or on Japan- and Korea-based systems, AMF is another term for AM or AMC. The duties remain the same.

AML – Attacking Midfielder Left

This player supports attacks from the left flank. The AML stretches defenses wide and cuts inside or delivers crosses.

AMR – Attacking Midfielder Right

Operating like the AML, the AMR works from the right side. They often dribble, shoot, and make overlapping runs with fullbacks.

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CAM – Central Attacking Midfielder

The CAM is the team’s creative brain in the center. Often the flashiest, most skillful player, their vision dictates the tempo of the attack.

CB – Center Back

A Center Back (CB) is the spine of any defense. Positioned just in front of the goalkeeper, their job is to tackle, intercept, block, and clear. Teams typically play with 2 CBs—left and right-sided.

CDM – Central Defensive Midfielder

The CDM is a tactical guardian. Positioned in front of the CBs, they break up attacks, shield the defense, and distribute the ball calmly. Often called the “pivot.”

CF – Center Forward

The CF is the main goal threat. They sit closest to the opposition’s goal and specialize in finishing chances—headers, volleys, tap-ins, and more.

CH – Center Half

CH is an old-school term that today refers to the Center Back. Historically, the “half-back” line was part of a 2-3-5 formation, but in modern soccer, it means central defense.

CM – Central Midfielder

The CM is the heart of the team, balanced between offense and defense. They shuttle the ball, support attacks, and track back to defend.

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CMF – Central Midfield

Used interchangeably with CM. In some systems, this refers to a more neutral or box-to-box role that requires great stamina and passing range.

DM – Defensive Midfielder

The DM is similar to the CDM. Their primary job is to defend and hold position, stopping counterattacks before they start.

GK – Goalkeeper

The last line of defense. The GK is the only player allowed to use their hands (in the penalty box). They save shots, command the box, and often start counterattacks with throws or kicks.

LB – Left Back

The LB defends the left flank. Traditionally defensive, modern left-backs also join the attack, providing width and crosses.

LCB – Left Center Back

This CB is slightly left of the central defense. They often cover left-sided threats and work in tandem with the LBs and other CBs.

LF – Left Forward

The LF plays higher up on the left, closer to the goal than the AML or LM. Their focus is on scoring and assisting, often cutting inside to shoot.

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LH – Left Half

Another historical term, the LH was once a wide midfielder or hybrid winger. Today, this spot is occupied by LMs or LWs.

LM – Left Midfielder

The LM is a workhorse. Covering the left flank from box to box, they support both offense and defense, offering crosses and tracking back.

LS – Left Striker

The LS plays to the left of the central striker. In a two-striker system, they may play slightly deeper or wider, creating scoring chances.

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LW – Left Winger

The LW hugs the left sideline. They’re pacey, tricky, and often tasked with stretching the field, taking on fullbacks, and whipping in crosses.

LWB – Left Wing Back

A blend of a left back and left winger, the LWB plays wide in a five-man defense. They defend deep but also support attacks down the wing.

M – Midfielder

A general abbreviation, M, refers to any central or wide midfielder. It’s often used when position specifics are unclear.

OB – Outside Backs

OB refers to the LB and RB combined. These are your wide defensive players, tasked with stopping wingers and supporting full-width attacks.

RB – Right Back

The RB is the mirror of the LB. They defend the right side, often pushing forward to provide crosses or link-up play.

RCB – Right Center Back

Like the LCB, the RCB is positioned slightly right in central defense. Their role is to cover the right channel and support the RB.

RF – Right Forward

A RF works on the right side of a front three. They’re aggressive attackers who either cut in to shoot or stretch the field for central players.

RM – Right Midfielder

The RM is a versatile player. They operate on the right, linking defense and attack, often combining with RWs or RBs.

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RS – Right Striker

The RS is positioned to the right of the central striker, similar to a supporting forward. They often switch positions with the central forward.

RW – Right Winger

The RW is a speedster down the right. Like their LW counterpart, they’re expected to take on defenders, cross, and shoot.

RWB – Right Wing Back

A hybrid of a right back and right winger. The RWB is tireless, often covering the entire right side in a three-center-back system.

SS – Second Striker

The SS is a support striker, playing just behind the main forward. They link midfield and attack, exploit pockets of space, and offer both goals and assists.

ST – Striker

The classic Number 9. The ST leads the line, finishes chances, holds the ball up, and is the primary goal threat. They live for that split second in the box.

SW – Sweeper

A rare position today, the SW sits behind the defense, cleaning up anything that gets past. Once popular in Italy and Germany, this role demands intelligence, anticipation, and confidence on the ball.

WF – Wing Forward

WF refers to a player on either the right or left side of the front line. They’re attacking-minded and play high and wide, often interchangeable with RF or LF.

WB – Wing Back

The general term for RWB and LWB. Wing-backs are modern warriors, defending deep and pushing high to offer width and overlap.

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